[~1500 Words]
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Returning to the Hobi Hobi no Mi, Sugar had once been able to affect powerful fighters such as Chinjao and Cavendish. Even with their Haki, they had been unable to break free from her ability.
So for now, one could only assume that their Haki quantity simply wasn't high enough.
As for what level of Haki would actually be required to resist such an ability…
Well, that question would probably require some brave warriors to sacrifice themselves and test it personally.
Compared to that terrifying power, the Healing Fruit served more of a support role.
However, its effect was just as astonishing.
Its ability was straightforward and extremely powerful: it could heal all injuries and illnesses in living beings.
Even more incredible, it could restore things to their original state through its miraculous power—though doing so required the consumption of the user's lifespan.
If aging powerhouses like Whitebeard or Red Hair, who were both burdened with old injuries and illnesses, ever learned about such a Devil Fruit…
They would likely go to any lengths to obtain it.
Between the two abilities, the choice was obvious for James.
The Healing Power was far more valuable.
Once he possessed it, his endurance and survivability would reach a terrifying level.
"Then… we'll go find Mansherry first."
Having made his decision, James waved lightly toward Violet, who was still somewhat flustered from earlier. His voice softened as he spoke.
"Let's go, Violet. Use your ability to guide me to the King's Plateau so we can find Mansherry."
Violet let out a faint sigh.
The path she had chosen had been both voluntary and forced at the same time.
Now that she had stepped onto it, there was no turning back.
"…Alright."
She stepped closer and actively leaned her delicate body into James's embrace.
The small action caused a faint smile to appear on James's lips.
He wrapped his left arm around her slender waist while his right arm slipped beneath her legs, lifting her into a smooth princess carry before taking to the sky toward the King's Plateau.
Logically speaking, Violet truly had once been the Princess of Dressrosa.
So at this moment, James was quite literally carrying a real princess in his arms.
Of course, among his Divine Concubines, princesses were hardly rare.
Vivi.
Shirahoshi.
And several others.
While they flew across the sky, Violet realized this might be her only chance to ask the question weighing heavily on her mind.
In a quiet voice, she spoke.
"Mr. James… what exactly is your purpose in coming to Dressrosa?"
To her, this question was extremely important.
What she hoped for most was simple:
That James held a personal grudge against Doflamingo.
That he had come here solely to destroy the Donquixote Pirates…
…and would leave Dressrosa afterward.
If that happened, her father—King Riku—could reclaim the throne, and the kingdom would finally be restored.
In the original timeline, her wish had indeed come true.
Yet strangely enough, she didn't seem to realize something important.
Why did she even dare to question someone like James?
Perhaps it was because she was now a mature woman… one with a bold and determined spirit.
James frowned slightly.
Feigning displeasure, he responded coldly.
"Oh?"
"You haven't forgotten that you're currently a prisoner, have you?"
"You want to know my purpose… are you trying to show your loyalty to Doflamingo?"
Violet's pupils shrank.
The blush that had colored her cheeks vanished instantly.
Her face turned pale as she hurriedly explained.
"No! That's not it at all!"
"To be honest… I was once the Princess of the Dressrosa Kingdom."
When she saw that James's expression remained unchanged, she assumed he didn't believe her.
"Please believe me—I swear I'm not lying!"
"Eight years ago, Doflamingo came to this country and used his String-String Fruit to control my father, King Riku."
"He forced him to slaughter his own citizens."
"Then Doflamingo stepped forward as the 'hero' who stopped the massacre… and seized control of the kingdom."
James naturally already knew the story.
In this tangled web of power and manipulation, one truth stood above all others.
Without power, even innocence becomes a crime.
"Doflamingo saw that my Glare-Glare Fruit ability was useful, so he spared my life."
"I took that chance to secretly save my father as well…"
She paused briefly.
"And then?" James interrupted calmly.
"Even if I believe these old stories, what difference does it make?"
"I'm very familiar with Doflamingo's methods of brainwashing people."
"How do I know where your loyalty truly lies now?"
"I…"
Violet fell silent.
James's words had struck directly at the heart of the problem.
If a simple oath could make people believe you…
Then how many people in this world would have already been cheated out of everything they owned?
"I… then how can I make you believe me…?"
James shook his head slightly.
"Believe you?"
"There's no need."
"These matters are irrelevant to me."
"All you need to do right now is remember one thing."
"You're my prisoner."
"And you will follow my orders."
Then he looked down at her with calm indifference.
"If what you said is true, then as the former princess of this kingdom…"
"You must hate the man who invaded your country."
"Doflamingo."
"So behave yourself."
"Don't try anything clever."
"His rule will collapse today anyway."
"I… I understand…"
Violet replied quietly.
Her voice had lost much of its earlier confidence.
At this moment, she realized something clearly.
James had no intention of giving her the reassurance she wanted.
All she could do now was silently pray that events would unfold according to her hopes.
After that, she stopped speaking entirely.
Nestled within James's firm embrace, she remained quiet for the rest of the flight.
Her cheeks gradually turned red again as she became increasingly aware of the warmth of his body.
As they approached the Royal Palace, Violet finally regained her composure.
In a soft voice, she explained,
"The chapel is located on the upper level of the palace."
"There are no windows inside."
"To reach it, we would normally have to enter through the palace's only entrance—the Great South Gate."
James shook his head.
"There's no need for that."
"Just point out where Mansherry is."
After all, with the power of the Door-Door Fruit, barriers meant nothing to him.
He could go anywhere.
"Ah…"
Violet froze slightly.
A thought suddenly appeared in her mind.
Is James planning to destroy the palace directly?
With the power of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, it would certainly be possible.
Would the place she had lived in for so many years be destroyed just like that?
Although she felt reluctant, she had no choice but to obey.
She formed the familiar "OK" gesture before her eye and searched once more.
After confirming Mansherry's exact location, she extended her pinky finger and pointed toward a nearby wall.
"It's right behind there."
"But there are assassins from the Donquixote Family moving around behind the wall."
James chuckled.
"Your Devil Fruit ability is really convenient."
"And even the pose you use to activate it is pretty cute."
Hearing his teasing tone and feeling the domineering way he held her…
Violet realized something important.
Even though James had just coldly rejected her earlier confession—
He was clearly interested in her.
After thinking briefly, she made a decision.
Perhaps she could achieve her goal through a different approach.
Violet smiled sweetly.
The hand gripping James's lapel loosened, and she gently wrapped both arms around his neck.
Her body pressed closer against him.
She tilted her head slightly, revealing the smooth curve of her fair neck.
Her clear, expressive eyes slowly lifted to meet his gaze, shimmering as though they could speak.
And those soft, rosy lips…
It felt as if, should James lower his head even slightly, he could easily claim them.
"Thank you for the compliment, Mr. James."
James blinked in surprise.
Hadn't he just casually praised her without thinking?
Why was her reaction so… dramatic?
The seductive posture she had taken made it seem as if she were willingly presenting herself to him.
Clearly, something unusual was going on.
But James was certainly not the type of man who would refuse a temptress who had practically delivered herself to his door.
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